FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WAUWATOSA

December 3, 2006

MORNING WORSHIP 8:45 A.M.

First Sunday in Advent

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Samuel R. Schaal

(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday,

we would love to greet you following the service or at coffee hour in Friendship Lounge.)

PRELUDE Veni Emmanuel Callahan

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CHURCH GATHERS

CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Robert J. Brink

Leader: On this First Sunday in Advent we hear God’s decree through Jeremiah,

People: “I will fulfill my promise.”

Leader: God reminds us that a true shoot

People: will sprout from the tree of David.

Leader: His rule will be honest and fair;

People: he will set things right;

Leader: he will be with us forever.

People: Amen.

*HYMN 110 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

*THE CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH AND PRAYER OF INVOCATION

The Scott & Michelle Hoerig Family

1 READER Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means "coming" and in this season we prepare for the coming of Christ. One of the ways we prepare

for his coming is by making an Advent wreath and lighting its candles to

remind us of the gifts Christ brings to the world.

2 READER The Advent wreath includes many symbols to help us think about Christ and his gifts. The wreath itself is in the shape of a circle. A circle has no beginning and no end. This reminds us that there is no beginning and no end to God, and that God's love and caring are forever.

3 READER The light from the candles - which grows stronger each Sunday in Advent, reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world.

4 READER Today we light the candle of hope. The people of Israel hoped in God's promises and were not disappointed. Again and again God delivered Israel from its enemies. We too have the same experience of salvation. That is

why we believe in God's promise to send Jesus to us once again to judge the world and establish his kingdom forever upon the earth. (a person lights the

candle)

5 READER Hope is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at the light of this candle we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

ALL Thank you God for the hope you give us. We ask that as we wait for all your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us. Help us today, and every day to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your hope with each other. We ask it in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem, who taught us to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

*ASCRIPTION OF GLORY

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall Come to Thee, O Israel! Amen.

THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Jeremiah 33:14-16 Bible, page 724

*PSALMODY Psalm 25 [sung to Martyrdom]

{Children ages 3 through 8th grade are dismissed to Sunday School

during the singing of the Psalm.}

To Thee, O LORD, I lift my soul,

In Thee, O God, I trust;

Let vanity be put to shame,

And languish in the dust.

Make me to know Thy paths, O God,

And lead me in Thy way;

To learn Thy saving truth my heart

Shall meditate each day.

The Lord is goodness, truth and love,

God’s path the saints have trod;

And children of the covenant

Still walk beside their God.

Be mindful of Thy mercy, LORD,

Thy love from ages past;

Forgive the weakness of my youth

And bring me home at last.

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 21:25-36 Bible, page 960

Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.

ANTHEM Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Wolff

THE COMMUNION MEDITATION Dr. Peay

“You Better Watch Out!”

THE CALL TO PRAYER AND SILENT MEDITATION

THE CHURCH OFFERS PRAYER AND THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER

THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER

THE OFFERTORY

ANTHEM Do You Hear What I Hear? Arr. Simeone

*DOXOLOGY

THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE OF PARDON

God of the future, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world.

*THE GREAT THANKSGIVING from the Presbyterian Book of Worship

Minister: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Minister: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

[The Minister continues the prayer, following “who sing forever to the glory of

your Name” we all say:]

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

[The Ministers continue the prayer and then invite us to the Lord’s Table: to which all who acknowledge the Lordship of Christ are invited, regardless of Church membership or affiliation.]

The Communion of the Lord’s People

The Prayer following Communion

THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND TO SERVE

*HYMN 107 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

*THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*THE POSTLUDE Improvisation on “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

*The congregation is invited to stand, if able.

The Christmas decorations are provided by the Board of Deacons

and through the generous donations of members in honor of or in memory of loved ones.

Worship Preview for Sunday, December 10, 2006 ~ 8:45 & 11:00 a.m.

The 4 & 5 year olds will perform the Sunday School Pageant at 8:45 a.m.

Michelle Russ directs the Cherub Choir at 8:45 a.m.

Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled, “Going Straight.”

Thomas Gregory is the organist.

Lee Jacobi directs the Pilgrim Choir at 8:45 and the Chancel Choir at 11:00 a.m.

Pilgrim Choir Anthems

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Gerard Moultrie 1829-1885

Let all mortal flesh keep silence

And with fear and trembling stand;

Ponder nothing earthly minded,

For with blessing in His hand,

Christ our God descendeth,

Our full homage to demand.

King of Kings, yet born of Mary,

As of old on earth He stood,

Lord of Lords, in human vesture

In the body and the blood.

He will give to all the faithful

His own Self heav’nly food.

At His feet the six-winged seraphs,

Cherubim with sleepless eye,

Veil their faces to the Presence,

As with ceaseless voice they cry,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Lord, most high. Amen.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Simeone

Said the night wind to the little lamb,

Do you see what I see?

‘way up in the sky, little lamb.

Do you see what I see?

A star, a star, dancing in the night,

with a tail as big as a kite,

with a tail as big as a kite.

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,

Do you hear what I hear?

Ringing thru the sky, shepherd boy,

Do you hear what I hear

A song, a song high above the tree,

With a voice as big as the sea,

With a voice as big as the sea.

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,

Do you know what I know?

In your palace warm, mighty king,

Do you know what I know?

A Child, a Child shivers in the cold,

Let us bring Him silver and gold,

Let us bring Him silver and gold.

Said the king to the people ev’rywhere,

“Listen to what I say:

Pray for peace, people everywhere!

Listen to what I say:

The Child, the Child sleeping in the night,

He will bring us goodness and light,

He will bring us goodness and light.